Killingly Town Council will have its hands full on Tuesday

The Killingly Town Council on Tuesday is scheduled to discuss several ongoing issues, including how best to fix the town’s high school gym, whether to set a public hearing on a modified no-smoking policy and how best to begin the search for a new town manager.

Killingly council: The Killingly Town Council on Tuesday is scheduled to discuss several ongoing issues, including how best to fix the town’s high school gym, whether to set a public hearing on a modified no-smoking policy and how best to begin the search for a new town manager. The council will meet at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

The gym: The council on Tuesday will continue discussion on whether to spend $50,000 to complete repairs to the Killingly High School gym floor that are needed after sections began to “cup,” or warp, shortly after it was installed. The proposal would entail sanding and refinishing the floor. If that resolution is rejected, the council could explore a $500,000 repair option that would include completely replacing the floor.

Smoking: The council is expected to set a public hearing date concerning the amendment of no-smoking rules in town parks. The ordinance, if approved, would limit smoking at town-owned parks to designated smoking areas. The law would apply to Owen Bell, Lions, Water Street, Town Hall Pocket and Cat Hollow parks, as well as to Chase and Hygeia reservoirs, the Danielson Ball Field Complex, the River Trail and Mason Hill Reserve. At Danielson’s Davis Park, smoking would be permitted except during special events involving 50 or more people.

Sidewalks: Council members will vote on Tuesday on whether to give Town Manager Bruce Benway the authorization to negotiate the transfer of several Danielson borough sidewalks to the town. While the idea of transferring the sidewalks has been debated for years, the recent approval of a $500,000 grant designed to repair Main Street sidewalks has brought the issue back to the forefront. Benway said he’ll work with Borough President Elaine Lippke to negotiate the jurisdiction of 10 sidewalks in the central business district and on Main Street.

Manager search: In anticipation of Benway’s retirement next year, the council will vote on whether to authorize a process to hire a search consultant. Benway said he anticipates it will take two months to hire the consultant, who will be chosen by the council. Once chosen, the consultant will work with council members and town staff to determine what kind of candidate to recommend as Benway’s replacement. Benway’s position is slated to become vacant by March 1.